Alaska Bills | MyRepTracker

failed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HJR 7: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the permanent fund, relating to transfers out of the permanent fund, and requiring payment of a dividend to eligible state residents.

This bill proposes changes to the Alaska Constitution to establish a permanent fund for mineral revenues and mandate annual dividend payments to eligible state residents. It requires that at least 25% of mineral lease rentals, royalties, and related payments be placed into the fund, where the principal is invested to generate income. The bill also specifies that this income must be used to pay dividends to residents without needing a separate appropriation from the state legislature. Additionally, it clarifies that no money can be withdrawn from the fund for general spending except for these required dividend payments.

failed · Alaska · House Oct 9, 2024

HB 2: An Act relating to contracts with public agencies; and relating to the State of Israel.

This bill, known as the Israel Anti-Discrimination Act, requires public agencies in Alaska to include a specific clause in contracts that prohibits businesses from boycotting the State of Israel. The law defines prohibited actions as those lacking a valid business reason, such as refusing to do business with Israel or discriminating based on nationality or religion. Contracts that fail to include this provision are declared void, and statements of participation in a boycott against Israel can serve as evidence of a violation. The restrictions apply only to organizations with ten or more employees and contracts valued at $100,000 or more, while explicitly excluding individual people and small-scale transactions.

failed · Alaska · House May 15, 2024

HB 129: An Act relating to elections; relating to voter registration; relating to candidate legal funds; relating to voting; relating to special needs voting; relating to absentee voting; relating to defamation claims based on the use of synthetic media; relating to the use of synthetic media in electioneering communications; and providing for an effective date.

This bill modifies Alaska's election laws to update voter registration deadlines and procedures. It allows individuals who register within 30 days of an election to vote using absentee, special needs, or questioned ballots, even if they are not yet on the official registration list. The legislation also clarifies how mail-in forms are processed, permitting those with postmarks or signatures dated at least 30 days before the election to be included on the master register for future use. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions regarding the legal use of synthetic media, such as deepfakes, in election-related communications and defamation claims.

failed · Alaska · House May 15, 2024

HB 120: An Act relating to hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for certain nonresident postsecondary students; relating to animal adoption and foster care records; and providing for an effective date.

HB 120 creates a special license option for nonresident college students in Alaska who are enrolled full-time or half-time at accredited postsecondary institutions. These students, who do not meet standard residency requirements but have family incomes above the federal poverty guidelines, can purchase hunting, trapping, or fishing licenses at resident rates. The bill also clarifies that individuals already eligible for free or low-cost resident licenses are exempt from a specific intensive management surcharge. All other provisions of the bill, including the creation of this new student license category, are set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

failed · Alaska · Senate May 11, 2024

SB 200: An Act relating to employer contributions in the teachers' retirement system; relating to supplemental employee benefits; and providing for an effective date.

This bill increases the required employer contribution rate to the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System from 12.56% to 14.56% of base salaries for active and reemployed members. It also adjusts the supplemental employee benefits contribution, reducing the employer's share from nine percent to seven percent of member compensation. Additionally, the legislation updates the rules for which employers must join the supplemental benefits program, specifically requiring participation from state and public retirement system employers that do not participate in the federal Social Security system. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

died · Alaska · House May 10, 2024

HB 121: An Act relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to electrical energy transmission; relating to distributed energy systems; relating to power cost equalization; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; and providing for an effective date.

HB 121 establishes a renewable portfolio standard requiring electric utilities in Alaska to source increasing percentages of their electricity from renewable energy resources, specifically targeting 25 percent by 2027, 55 percent by 2035, and 80 percent by 2040. The bill also clarifies that offering net metering to customers with distributed energy systems does not constitute rate discrimination and mandates that new large energy facilities must be cost-effective and not hinder utilities from meeting these renewable targets. Additionally, it requires electric reliability organizations to submit integrated resource plans that evaluate various options like new generation, transmission, and battery storage to meet customer needs while supporting the renewable standard. Although the legislation includes provisions related to the Alaska Energy Authority and power cost equalization, the bill was ultimately withdrawn by its sponsor in May 2024.